Reasons For The Reign Of Terror

While one could say there were many reasons for The Reign of Terror, the French Revolution that saw the overthrow of absolute monarchy and the original feudal class system and the emergence of a new bourgeois society founded on the principles, liberty, equality and brotherhood were perhaps the most important reasons. Nevertheless, this transition led to a state of violence, terror and a power struggle for France, with fears of foreign invasion that the restoration under Napoleon Bonaparte on May 26 1805 was both welcomed and arguably, in need for the survival of France. While the French revolution was the backdrop of the reign of terror there were other factors that increased its intensity and duration. The conflict between the Girondins and the Jacobins led to political instability leading up to the events now referred to as The Reign of Terror.

The prejudice of the “Enemies of War” label led the new government to execute thousands in order to maintain control over the French population. The lack of planning for the period at an economic and social level after the French revolution contributed to an unstable government. Struggling to control and direct the people of France, the French Government felt the need to resort to extreme measures in order to maintain order

The intensification of the 'Reign of Terror' and Robespierre's autocracy made him increasingly unpopular. The French military successes served to undermine the justification for such ruthlessness and a conspiracy was formed to overthrow Robespierre. On July 27th of 1794, Robespierre was arrested after a struggle. The following day Robespierre, wounded from a bullet taken to the jaw, and 21 of his closest supporters were executed at the Guillotine, he had become the final victim of his own bloody Reign of